Sheet counting machine

ABSTRACT

A sheet counting machine has a sheet counting mechanism which is controlled through a coincidence detecting circuit operating to compare a number of sheets counted with a predetermined number of sheets. The coincidence detecting circuit is provided with a mode changing switch and an inverter connected thereto in the output path to relatively reverse a logical level of an output of the coincidence detecting circuit stop mode. The logical level thus relatively reversed is utilized for controlling the operation of the mechanism through switching elements and relay elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sheet counting machines operating to count anumber of sheets such as bank notes and cards.

There are two types of sheet counting machines known in the art. One isoperated in a sheet counting mode in which a number of sheets to becounted in one sheet counting operation is predetermined and the sheetcounting operation is suspended when the number of sheets countedreaches the predetermined number of sheets (hereinafter referred to as"an automatic stop mode"). The other is operated in a sheet countingmode in which all of the sheets inserted are counted, and uponcompletion of the sheet counting operation an alarm signal is generatedif the number of sheets counted is more than or less than apredetermined reference number of sheets, for instance, 100 sheets(hereinafter referred to as "an alarm mode").

The former machine is used for dividing a stack or bundle of many sheetsinto a plurality of stacks each consisting of a predetermined number ofsheets (for instance 100 sheets). The latter machine is used forconfirming the number os sheets which are bundled so that the bundleincludes a predetermined number of sheets, for instance 100 sheets,(hereinafter referred as "an official number of sheets"). Thus, theconventional sheet counting machine is operated only in the automaticstop mode or only in the alarm mode.

Accordingly, there is a strong demand for the provision of a sheetcounting machine which can count a number of sheets in the alarm modeand also in the automatic stop mode, in order to improve efficiency incounting a number of sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a novel sheetcounting machine which can be operated in both the automatic stop modeand the alarm mode described above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet counting machinehaving a simple construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sheet counting machinewhich positively carries out a sheet counting operation.

The foregoing objects and other objects as well as the characteristicfeatures of this invention will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description and the appended claim when read in conjunctionwith accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by likereference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet counting mechanism ofa sheet counting machine to which this invention can be applied;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram used for a description of a sheetcounting operation carried out by the sheet counting machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of the sheet counting machineaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a control board of the sheetcounting machine;

FIGS. 5 through 8 are circuit diagrams for the block diagram of FIG. 3;and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sheetcounting machine according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As conducive to a full understanding of this invention, the constructionof a sheet counting machine to which the invention can be applied willbe described with reference to FIG. 1.

The sheet counting machine has a machine frame 1, a sheet laying plate 2having an arc-shaped end which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 3, a pin5 provided on the frame 1, and a sheet holding pin 4 embedded in thesheet laying plate 2. These pins 4 and 5 are connected with a spring 6wound around the shaft 3 so that the plate 2 is turned counterclockwiseas viewed from above.

The frame 1 is provided with a sheet sliding plate 8 in such a mannerthat there is a slight gap 7 between the plate 8 and the arc-shaped endedge of the plate 2, and the upper surface of the plate 8 is flush withthat of the plate 2. The outer edge of the sheet sliding plate 8 isfixedly connected to a sheet stop 9 which forms a vertical wall. Theleft portion of the stop 9 has a slot 10. As is apparent from the abovedescription and FIG. 1, the edge of the sheet sliding plate 8 isarc-shaped, and the wall of the stop 9 is cylindrical.

On the left side of the sheet sliding plate 8, there is a stop 11rotatably mounted on a shaft 12. This stop is turned clockwise by aspring 13 so as to detain the rotation of the sheet sliding plate 8.Reference numeral 109 designates a part which engages an end of thespring 13. On the upper portion of the stop a release lever 14 isfixedly provided. The end portion of the release lever 14 is bent, andthis bent portion extends inward through the slot 10 of the sheet stop 9so that the right end portion 15 of the stop 11 engages with the leftupper end portion 16 of the sheet laying plate 2 so as to detain thecounterclockwise turning of the sheet laying plate 2 unless the releaselever 14 is pressed outward by sheets.

The machine further comprises a sheet clamping holder 17 under whichthere is a sheet clamping holder operating member 18 rotatably mountedon the shaft 3. To one end portion of the member 18 one end portion (thelower end portion) of a U-shaped arm 19 is fixedly connected; while theother and portion 20 (the upper end portion) of the arm 19 is fixedlyconnected to the sheet clamping holder 17. A pin 21 is embedded in theholder operating member 18, and is coupled by a lever 22 having a slot24 therein to a rotary disk 23b mounted on the rotary shaft 23a of anelectric motor M₁ (not shown) through an eccentric shaft 23c provided onthe rotary disk 23b. The lever 22 is coupled to the pin 21 through theslot 24. The pin 21 is pulled by a spring 25 toward the outer end of theslot 24. Thus, the lever 22 carries out a crank operation, that is, thelever 22 turns the member 18 and accordingly the holder 17 clockwise orcounterclockwise according to rotation of the rotary disk 23b.

On the shaft 3 an arm member 31 is rotatably mounted which has a holderdetaining pin 30 embedded in one end portion thereof. The spring 25imparts a torque to the arm member 31 so that the arm member 31 isturned counterclockwise as viewed from above. Reference numeral 107designates a part to which engages one end of the spring 25. The holderdetaining rod 30 is so arranged that it protrudes through a recess 33provided in the frame 1 so as to regulate the clockwise turning of theholder 17. The arm member 31 has a protruding portion 34 on the otherend portion thereof. This protruding portion 34 engages with anadjusting screw 35 so as to regulate the counterclockwise turning of thearm member 31.

Thus, the spring 25 imparts a force to the holder operating member 18and the arm member 31 so that these elements 18 and 31 approach eachother.

Reference numeral 39 designates a spring which operates to turn theholder operating member 18 together with the arm member 31 clockwise.

The stop 11 has a lever 11a at its rear end portion with which insertiondetecting switch M₅ is engaged.

Reference numeral 38 designates suction heads provided on a rotor 37 ofthe sheet counting mechanism. When the rotor 37 is revolved by a motorM₂ (not shown), these suction heads 38 rotate at a speed correspondingto the revolution of the rotor 37. The sheet counting mechanism thusorganized is subjected to drive control by a drive control circuit asfollows.

If a stack of sheets is laid on the sheet laying plate 2 in such amanner that the sheets stand against the holder 17, and is then movedtoward the sheet stop 9, the stack of sheets will abut the stop therebypressing the release lever 14 outward. By this operation, the stop 11 isturned around the shaft 12 counterclockwise, and the right lower corner15 of the stop 11 is disengaged from the sheet laying plate 2.Accordingly, the sheet laying plate 2 is turned counterclockwise by thespring 6, as a result of which the stack of sheets is sandwiched betweenthe holder 17 and the sheet holding pin 4 embedded in the sheet layingplate 2.

In the case of the automatic stop mode, when the stop 11 is turnedcounterclockwise, the switch MC₅ is turned on by the lever 11a and themotor M₁ is operated. By the operation of the motor M₁, the levercoupled to the motor M₁ pushes the holder operating member 18, andaccordingly the arm member 19 connected to the end portion of the holderoperating member 18 turns the holder 17 clockwise. By this movement ofthe holder 17 the stack of sheets abut against the holder detaining pin30, and therefore a further movement of the holder 17 is stopped. Underthis condition, the end portion of the top sheet of the sheet stackcomes to abut against a suction head 38 on the rotor 37. On the otherhand, a vacuum pump VPM (now shown) is operated by the operation of theswitch MC₅. When a vacuum created by the vacuum pump VPM reaches apredetermined value, a vacuum switch is actuated so that the suctionheads 38 and the rotor 37 are rotated. As a result, the sheets in astack are bent back around pin 30 one by one by the suction heads 38 tocount the number of sheets as is shown in FIG. 2.

In order to clamp the stack of sheets with the holder 17 and the pin 30,the motor M₁ is rotated in the same direction again to produce the crankoperation of the lever 22 and thereby to turn the holder 17counterclockwise.

The sheet counting machine according to this invention employs a drivecontrol circuit for the above-described sheet counting mechanism asshown in FIG. 3.

The drive control circuit has a main control section 55 which deliversdrive condition signals to a holder motor driving circuit 50, a rotordriving motor driving circuit 51, a vacuum pump driving circuit 52, asheet separating solenoid driving circuit 53, and a winker circuit 54.The main control section 55 receives, as its input condition signals, acount confirmation signal a from a count confirmation circuit 56, adetection signal b from the vacuum switch VS, a detection signal c froma holder position detector HP, and a detection signal d from thedetector MC₅ operating to detect the insertion of a stack of sheets.

The main control section 55, as is shown in FIG. 4, comprises a modechanging switch PB₃, a manual start switch PB₂, an automatic startswitch PB₅, a reset switch PB₄, and a power switch PB₁, the key leversof which are arranged on a control board 58.

A first normally-open contact means PB₁₁ of the power switch PB₁, as isshown in FIG. 5, is connected between one power terminal U and a powerline 1₁. The other power terminal V is connected directly to a powerline l₁. The other power terminal V is connected directly to a powerline l₂.

The mode changing switch PB₃ is composed by three stay-down key switchesoperatively associated with one another, that is, the switch PB₃ iscomposed by an automatic stop mode selecting switch PB_(3A), an alarmmode selecting switch PB_(3B), and a count mode selecting switchPB_(3C). The automatic start switch PB₅ is also a stay-down key switch.

The term "count mode" herein used means a sheet counting operation inwhich all of the sheets inserted in the sheet counting mechanism arecompletely counted, and upon completion of the counting operation theoperation of the sheet counting mechanism is suspended.

In the example described above, as is shown in FIG. 5 one contact of aselecting switch PB_(3A1), two contacts of a selecting switch PB_(3B1)and three contacts of a selecting switch PB.sub. 3C1 arecascade-connected in the order stated. This cascade connection circuitforms a conduction path only when any one of the switches PB_(3B1),PB_(3B1) and PB_(3C1) is operated. The cascade connection circuit is apart of a start circuit 60 of the main control section 58.

The start circuit 60 has a relay RL₁. When a manual start switch PB₂₁ isdepressed upon operation of manual start switch PB₂, the relay RL₁ isenergized by forming a loop: the power line l₂ -- a normally closedcontact means of a count confirmation relay RL₅ described later -- therelay RL₁ -- the selection switches PB_(3A1), PB_(3B1), PB_(3C1) -- acontact means PB₂₁ of the manual start switch PB₂ -- a normally closedcontact means RL₅₁ of the count confirmation relay RL₅ -- a normally,closed contact means RL₄₁ of the count operation relay RL₄ -- the powerline l₁. On the other hand, when a stack of sheets is inserted into theholder 17 with the automatic start switch PB₅₁ turned on, the relay RL₁is energized through a loop: the power line l₂ -- the normally closedcontact means of the count confirmation relay RL₅ -- the relay RL₁ --the selection switches PB_(3A1), PB_(3B1), PB_(3C1) -- a sheet insertiondetecting switch MC₅₁ -- a contact means PB₅₁ of the automatic startswitch PB₅ -- the power line l₁. This energization is self-maintainedbecause the armature of a contact means RL₁₂ of the relay RL₁ is thrownto the normally open contact NO thereof by the energization of the relayRL₁.

An output line d₁ is connected between the normally closed contact NC ofthe contact means RL₁₂ of the relay RL₁ and the holder motor drivingcircuit 50. Furthermore, an output line d₂ is extended from the normallyopen contact NO of a contact means RL₄₁ of a relay RL₄ to the vacuumpump driving circuit 52 and the rotor driving motor driving circuit 51.

The holder motor driving circuit 50 has a holder open position detectingswitch MC₁₁ the armature of which is thrown to the normally open contactfrom the normally closed contact when the holder 17 reaches the openposition, and a holder closure position detecting switch MC₂₁ thearmature of which is thrown to the normally closed contact from thenormally open contact when the holder 17 reaches the closure position.

The holder motor M₁ is energized through a loop: the power line l₂ --the normally open contact of a contact means PB₁₂ of the power switchPB₁ -- the normally closed contact of the holder open position detectingswitch MC₁₁ -- the normally open contact of the holder closure positiondetecting switch MC₂₁.

The detecting switches MC₁₁ and MC₂₁, as is shown in FIG. 2, arearranged to confront cam disks K₁ and K₂ coupled to the output shaft 23aof the holder motor M₁, respectively, so that the armature of the switchMC₁₁ is maintained connected to the normally closed contact, but isthrown to the normally open contact only when the holder 17 reaches theopen position to cause a projection of the cam disk K₁ to actuate theswitch MC₁₁, and so that the armature of the switch MC₂₁ is maintainedconnected to the normally open contact, but is thrown to the normallyclosed contact only when the holder 17 reaches the closure position tocause a recess of the cam disk K₂ to actuate the switch MC₂₁.

Accordingly, the motor M₁ is driven through the above-described loopuntil the holder 17 has reached the open position (or the closureposition, and thereafter the motor M₁ is stopped when the switch MC₁₁(or MC₂₁) is operated to open the loop. This stop-condition of the motoris maintained until the projection (or the recess) of the cam disk K₁(or K₂) is disengaged from the switch MC₁₁ (or MC₂₁) by driving themotor M₁ again whereby the loop is formed again.

The output line d₁ of the start circuit 60 is connected between theswitches MC₁₁ and MC₂₁ in order to open the holder 17, and a normallyopen contact means RL₁₁ of the relay RL₁ of the start circuit 60 isconnected in parallel to the switch MC₁₁ in order to close the holder17.

It is assumed that, with respect to the holder motor driving circuit 50,the holder 17 is at the closure position as is shown in FIG. 2, wherebythe armatures of the switches MC₁₁ and MC₂₁ are on the normally closedcontacts NC and the machine is stopped.

Under this condition, if the armature of the power switch PB₁₂ is thrownto the normally open contact NO, the power switch PB₁₂ will be connectedto the output line d₁ of the start circuit 60 through the normallyclosed contact of the switch MC₁₁, that is, the output line d₁ will beconnected to the power line 1₁ through a loop: the contact means RL₁₂ ofthe relay RL₁ -- the contact means RL₅₁ of the relay RL₅ -- the contactmeans RL₄₁ of the relay RL₄. As a result, the motor M₁ is driven, andsoon thereafter the switch MC₂₁ is disengaged from the recess of the camdisk K₂, that is, the armature of the switch MC₂₁ is thrown to thenormally open contact NO, whereby a loop of the switch MC₁₁ -- theswitch MC₂₁ is formed, so that the operation of the motor M₁ iscontinued. Thus, the holder 17 continues to move from the closureposition until the holder 17 reaches the open position to throw thearmature of the switch MC₁₁ to the contact NO.

If, when the holder 17 is at the open position, the relay RL₁ of thestart circuit 60 is energized, the contact means RL₁₁ is closed and theswitch MC₁₁ is bypassed, whereby the motor is driven. Soon, theprojection of the cam disk K₁ is disengaged from the switch MC₁₁ wherebythe loop of the switch MC₁₁ -- the switch MC₂₁ is formed again. Throughthe loop thus formed the motor is driven. Thus, the holder 17 continuesto move from the open position unitl the holder 17 reaches the closureposition to throw the armature of the switch MC₂₁ to the contact NC.

If, when the holder is at the closure position, the relay RL₁ isdeenergized to throw the armature of the contact means RL₁₂ to thecontact NC, the holder 17 carries out its opening operation as describedabove.

In the example, a second holder position detecting switch MC₂₂ isconnected in parallel to the power switch PB₁₁. If, when the holder 17is at a position other than the closure position, the power switch PB₁₁is opened, the motor M₁ is energized through the switch MC₂₂ until it isopened. Thus, when the operation of the sheet counting mechanism issuspended, the holder 17 is always returned to the closure position.

The vacuum pump driving circuit 52 comprises a vacuum switch VS providedat the output side of the vacuum pump VPM and which acts as a completiondetecting means for detecting when counting is completed. When thevacuum produced by the vacuum pump VPM is sufficient for sucking sheets,the armature of the switch VS is thrown to the normally open contact NOso that the count operation relay RL₄ is energized through the normallyclosed contact means RL₅₃ of a relay RL₅. As a result, the armature ofthe contact means RL₄₁ in the start circuit is thrown to the normallyopen contact NO, and a vacuum pump driving relay RL₃ connected to theoutput line d₂ of the start circuit 60 is energized. Furthermore, therelay RL₃ is energized through an output line d₃ connected to thenormally closed contact NC of the switch MC₂₁ in the holder motordriving circuit 50 and through a normally open contact means RL₁₃ of therelay RL₁ in the start circuit 60. When the relay RL₃ is energized, thea normally open contact means RL₃₂ of the relay RL₃ is closed and vacuumpump VPM is driven.

If, when the holder 17 is at the closure position, the armature of theswitch MC₂₁ of the circuit 50 is thrown to the normally closed contact,the relay RL₃ is energized through the contact means RL₁₃ of the RL₁ andthe vacuum pump VPM is driven. When the vacuum of the vacuum pump VPM isincreased and the armature of the vacuum switch VS is thrown to thenormally open contact NO, the relay RL₄ is energized. As a result, thearmature of the contact means RL₄₁ is thrown to the normally opencontact NO to energize the relay RL₃. At the same time, theself-maintaining of the relay RL₁ in the start circuit 60 is released toopen the contact means RL₁₂.

The rotor driving motor driving circuit 51, similar to the vacuum pumpdriving relay RL₃, is connected to the output line d₂ of the startcircuit 60, and to the output line d₃ of the holder motor drivingcircuit 50 through the contact means RL₁₃ of the relay RL₁, and has aseries circuit of a normally open contact means RL₃₁ of the relay RL₃and a normally closed contact means RL₁₅ of the relay RL₁. Accordingly,the rotor driving motor M₂ is operated by the energization of the relayRL₃.

An output line d₄ connected to the normally open contact NO of theswitch MC₁₁ in the holder motor driving circuit 50 is connected to areverse rotation terminal of the rotor driving motor M₂ through apredetermined position detecting switch MC₃ provided in association withthe output shaft of the motor M₂. Therefore, when the holder 17 reachesthe open position and the armature of the switch MC₁₁ is thrown to thenormally open contact, the motor M₂ is rotated in the opposite directionuntil the switch MC₃ is opened, whereby the motor M₂ is stopped at thepredetermined position.

The normally closed contact of the vacuum switch VS is connected to apressure releasing solenoid valve SV provided in the vicinity of asuction port of the suction heads 38 so that, when the switch VS hasdetected reduction of the vacuum and the armature of the switch VS hasbeen therefore thrown to the normally closed contact, the valve SV isabruptly opened so that sheets are no longer drawn to the suction heads.

In the sheet counting machine according to this invention, the countconfirmation output a of the count confirmation circuit 56 is applied,as a control input, to the drive control circuit described above.

The count confirmation circuit 56, as is shown in FIG. 3, comprises acounter 66 of, for instance, three digits which counts output pulses ofa sheet count detector 65. Data of the counter 66 are displayed on adisplayer 67 provided on the control board 58 (FIG. 4) and are producedas binary-coded decimal outputs.

The sheet count detector 65, as is shown in FIG. 2, comprises aproximity switch 69 provided adjacent the peripheral surface of therotor 37. Iron pieces 68 are provided on the peripheral surface of therotor 37 in correspondence to the positions of the suction heads 38 sothat the iron pieces pass across the proximity switch 69 during therotation of the rotor 37. Accordingly, whenever one iron piece 68 passesacross the proximity switch 69, one count pulse is produced by theproximity switch 69.

The count pulses thus obtained are introduced to the counter circuit 66through an input gate circuit 70 which opens when the relay RL₄ (FIG. 5)is energized. The digit outputs of the counter 66 are applied, as countinputs, to a coincidence detecting circuit 71.

The counter 66 is reset by a normally open contact means RL₁₆ of thestart RL₁ when the start relay RL₁ is energized for starting thesucceeding count operation. In addition, the counter 66 is also reset bya normally closed contact means RL₆₁ of a reset relay RL₆ (FIG. 6) whenthe reset switch PB₄ is depressed.

The count confirmation circuit 56 has a device 72 which is adapted tomanually set a number of sheets to be counted and to produce abinary-coded decimal output for each of the three-digit number of sheets(hereinafter referred to as "a manual number setting device 72"). Thesebinary-coded decimal outputs are applied, as set inputs, to thecoincidence detecting circuit 71.

The coincidence detecting circuit 71 operates to compare the digitoutputs of the counter 66 with the digit outputs, in the form of thebinary-coded decimal outputs, of the manual number setting device 72,respectively, and upon coincidence, produce a coincidence output at alow voltage level (hereinafter referred to as a logical L level whenapplicable) for every digit. This coincidence output is applied to aconfirmation signal producing circuit 73.

The confirmation signal producing circuit 73, as is shown in FIG. 7, hasa diode AND circuit 80 with inverters I. Through the inverters I, theAND circuit 80 receives the coincidence outputs CO₁, CO₂, and CO₃produced by the coincidence detecting circuit 71 for the respectivedigits of the number of sheets to be counted, respectively. An output ofthe diode AND circuit 80 is applied to an output condition circuit 82through an amplifier circuit 81 composed by cascade-connecting threenpn-type transistors Q₁, Q₂ and Q₃.

In the amplifier circuit 81, the base of the transistor Q₂ is connectedto a low level bus line BL through a normally open contact means RL₁₀₃of an alarm mode relay RL₁₀ shown in FIG. 8, and an output of the diodeAND circuit 80 is applied to the base of the transistor Q₃ through aninverter IN₁ and a normally open contact means RL₁₀₄ of the relay RL₁₀.

In the output condition circuit 82, there are connected in series aswitching transistor W controlled by the output of the amplifier circuit81, an output relay RL₇, a normally open contact means RL₈₂ of an outputcondition relay RL₈ in a confirmation output condition circuit 83 (FIG.5) of the main control section 55, a normally closed contact means RL₄₆of the count operation relay RL₄, and a normally open contact of acontact means RL₁₀₅ of the alarm mode relay RL₁₀ ; and the connectionpoint of the contact means RL₈₂ and RL₄₆ is connected to the normallyclosed contact of the contact means RL₁₀₅.

The confirmation output condition relay RL₈ is energized through aseries circuit of a contact means R₄₅ of the relay RL₄, a normallyclosed contact means RL₁₈ of the start relay RL₁, and a normally closedcontact means RL₆₂ of the reset relay RL₆ when the vacuum of the vacuumpump VPM reaches the predetermined value and the relay RL₄ is energized,as a result of which the contact means RL₈₂ (FIG. 7) is closed. Theenergized condition of the relay RL₈ is self-maintained through thenormally open contact means Rl₈₁, but is released by opening the contactmeans RL₈₁ when the reset operation is effected or when the relay RL₁ isenergized.

The alarm mode relay RL₁₀ (FIG. 8) is energized when an alarm modeswitch PB_(3B2) is closed, as a result of which the armature of thecontact means RL₁₀₃ is thrown to the normally open contact from thenormally closed contact.

The operation of the count confirmation circuit 56 will now bedescribed.

When the alarm mode has been selected, that is, the alarm mode switchPB_(3B2) (FIG. 8) has been closed, the contact means RL₁₀₃ and RL₁₀₄ ofthe relay RL₁₀ are closed, i.e. thrown to the NO contact thereof, whilethe armature of the contact means RL₁₀₅ is switched over to the normallyopen contact (FIG. 7). Accordingly, the transistor Q₂ in the amplifiercircuit 81 is in the off-state, and the collector level output at a highlevel of the transistor Q₂ is applied to the base of the transistor Q₃.

Under this condition, at least one of the digit outputs of thecoincidence detecting circuit 71 is at a high level during a period whenthe count data of the counter 66 does not coincide with the set data ofthe manual number setting device 72. Therefore, the output (at a lowlevel) of the diode AND circuit 80 is applied, as a high level input, tothe transistor Q₃ through the inverter IN₁. Accordingly, the transistorQ₃ is caused to be on and its collector level is at a high level whichmaintains the switching transistor W of the output condition circuit 82conductive. If in this case the sheet counting mechanism is operating,the count operation relay RL₄ is in an energized state and its contactmeans RL₄₆ is open. Accordingly, the output relay RL₇ is in anon-energized state.

If the sheet counting mechanism completes the counting of all of thesheets in a stack and the count operation relay RL₄ is thereforedeenergized (with the armature of the vacuum switch VS being thrown tothe normally closed contact) although no coincidence is detected by thecoincidence detecting mechanism yet, the contact means RL₄₆ is closed,as a result of which the output relay RL₇ is energized. This will bereferred as a first case.

In a second case where the sheet counting operation is completed as soonas the coincidence is detected by the coincidence detecting circuit 71,all of the digit outputs become low in level. As a result, the output ofthe inverter IN₁ becomes low in level, and the transistor Q₃ istherefore turned off. Accordingly, the transistor W of the outputcondition circuit 82 is also made non-conductive, and the output relayRL₇ is not energized.

In a third case where the sheet counting operation is still continuedalthough the coincidence has been detected by the coincidence detectingcircuit 71, when the first detection pulse occurring after thecoincidence arrives at the counter 66, all of the digit outputs of thecoincidence detecting circuit 71 become high in level (since the counter66 is overflowed and all the digits have the FIG. 9), as a result ofwhich the relay RL₇ is energized upon completion of the sheet countingoperation similarly as in the first case described above.

In the case where the alarm mode switch PB_(3B2) (FIG. 8) is open (notdepressed), the contact means RL₁₀₃ and RL₁₀₄ of the relay RL₁₀ areopen, and the armature of the contact means RL₁₀₅ is on the normallyclosed contact NO.

When the coincidence has not yet been detected by the coincidencedetecting circuit 71, the output of the diode AND circuit 80 is at a lowlevel, and therefore the transistors Q₁, Q₂ and Q₃ are off, on, and off,respectively. Therefore, the switching transistor W of the outputcondition circuit 82 is non-conductive, and the relay RL₇ is thereforemaintained in a deenergized state. This will be referred to as a firstcondition.

When after the first condition the coincidence is detected by thecoincidence detecting circuit 71, the output of the diode AND circuit 80becomes high in level, and therefore the switching transistor W is madeconductive, and therefore the relay RL₇ becomes energized. This will bereferred to as a second condition.

When after the second condition the sheet counting operation is furthercontinued by the sheet counting mechanism and the coincidence is notdetected by the coincidence detecting circuit 71 because of the overflowof the counter 66, the first condition described above occurs again andthe relay RL₇ is deenergized.

when the relay RL₇ is energized, its output actuates a contact means ina stop condition circuit 90 of the main control circuit 55. The stopcondition circuit 90 includes the count confirmation relay RL₅ which isenergized through a normally open contact means Rl₇₁ of the relay Rl₇and a normally closed contact means PB_(3A2) of the count switchPB_(3A). Upon energization of the relay RL₅, the contact means Rl₅₁connected to the output line d₁ of the start circuit 60 is opened.

The count switch PB_(3A2) of the stop condition circuit 90 is also usedin common for driving the winker circuit 54 and the sheet separatingsolenoid driving circuit 53. More specifically, the winker circuit 54and the solenoid driving circuit 53 are connected between the powerlines l₁ and l₂ through the count switch PB_(3A2) and a cascadeconnected circuit of an alarm switch PB_(3B3) and an automatic stopswitch PB_(3C2) consisting of two contact means. The winker circuit 54becomes operative by depressing the alarm switch PB_(3B3) only, whilethe solenoid driving circuit 53 becomes operative by depressing theautomatic stop switch PB_(3C2) only. The cascade-connected circuit is aprotection circuit which, when the two switches PB_(3B3) and PB_(3C2)are depressed by mistake, prevents the circuits 54 and 53 from becomingoperative.

The winker circuit 54 is provided with a contact means RL₅₂ of the countconfirmation relay RL₅. If, when the alarm switch PB_(3B3) has beendepressed, the relay RL₅ is not energized, the armature of the contactmeans RL₅₂ is on the normally closed contact NC, whereby an alarm modeselection display lamp 93 is continuously operated. If the relay RL₅ isenergized, the armature of the contact means RL₅₂ is thrown to thenormally open contact NO, whereby the lamp 93 starts its winkingoperation.

The solenoid driving circuit 53 is provided with a normally open contactmeans RL₇₂ of the relay RL₇ in the output condition circuit 82 (FIG. 7).If, when the automatic stop switch PB_(3C2) has been depressed, therelay RL₇ is energized, a solenoid 94 connected to the solenoid drivingcircuit 53 is energized, and as is shown in FIG. 2, a sheet separatingpawl 96 is operated to separate a stack of sheets 95 from the suctionhead 38.

Reference character Z indicated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 designatesarc-suppression circuits connected in parallel to the respective contactmeans.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, reference numeral 98 designates an automatic startcondition selection display lamp which is turned on when a normally opencontact means PB₅₂ of the automatic start switch PB₅ is closed.

When the sheet counting machine thus organized is not operated, theholder 17 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is at the closed position.

In this condition, first operator determines whether or not the machineshould be automatically started by using the automatic start switch PB₅,and selects one count mode by selectively depressing one of the switchesin the mode changing switch PB₃.

When the automatic stop mode selecting switch PB_(3C) has been depressedby the operator, he sets a number of sheets to be counted in theautomatic stop mode in the manual number setting device 72. When thealarm mode selection switch PB_(3B) has been depressed by the operator,he sets in the manual number setting device 72 a number of sheets whichshould be included in a stack (for instance 100, where an officialbundle of 1,000-yen bank notes has 100 sheets of 1,000-yen notes). Whenthe count mode selecting switch PB_(3A) has been depressed by theoperator, he sets 0 for all the digits in the manual number settingdevice 72. Thereafter, he turns on the power switch PB₁.

By turning on the power switch PB₁, the holder motor M₁ is driventhrough the loop made up of the contact means PB₁₂ of the power switchPB₁, the open position detecting switch MC₁₁, the output line d₁, thecontact means RL₁₂ of the relay RL₁, the contact means Rl₅₁ of the relayRL₅, and the contact means RL₄₁ of the relay Rl₄. As a result, theholder 17 is moved to the open position. Now the operator can insert astack of sheets 95 into the holder 17.

In the case where the automatic start switch PB₅ has been depressed, thestart relay RL₁ is energized immediately when the sheet insertiondetecting switch MC₅₁ is closed. In the case where the automatic startswitch PB₅ has not been depressed by the operator, he depresses themanual start switch PB₂ to close the contact means Pb₂₁, as a result ofwhich the relay Rl₁ is energized.

While the start relay Rl₁ is self-maintained through its contact meansRl₁₂, the motor M₁ is driven again through the loop made up of the powerswitch PB₁₂, the contact means RL₁₁ of the relay RL₁, and the closureposition detecting switch MC₂₁. As a result, the holder 17 is closed tohold the stack of sheets 95 between the holder 17 and the pin 30, thatis, the stack of sheets 95 abuts against the suction head 38.

When the holder 17 is moved to the closed position, the vacuum pumprelay RL₃ is energized through the loop made up of the detecting switchMC₂₁, the output line d₃ and the contact means RL₁₃ of the relay Rl₁, asa result of which the vacuum pump VPM is operated and the rotor drivingmotor M₂ starts.

When the output vacuum of the vacuum pump VPM has reached thepredetermined value, the vacuum switch VS is operated to energize thecount operation relay RL₄. Accordingly, the operations of the vacuumpump VPM and the rotor driving motor M₂ are continued. On the otherhend, the air releasing solenoid valve Sv is closed by the operation ofthe vacuum switch VS, as a result of which the predetermined vacuum isapplied to the suction heads 38 to count the number of sheets in thestack 95.

Furthermore, the energization of the relay RL₄ causes the input gate 70of the count confirmation circuit 56 (FIG. 3) to open. Through the gate70 thus opened, count pulses of the detector 65 are applied to thecounter 66, which operates to display a numerical value corresponding tothe sheet counting operation of the suction heads 38 on the displayer67.

The response operations of the sheet counting machine in completing thesheet counting operation differ according to the sheet counting modes asfollows.

First, the case where the automatic stop mode has been selected will bedescribed. In the output circuit 73 of the count confirmation circuit56, the contact means RL₁₀₃ and RL₁₀₄ of the alarm mode relay RL₁₀ areopen, and the armature of the contact means RL₁₀₅ is on the normallyclosed contact NC. Accordingly, when the contents of the counter 66coincide with the numerical value set in the manual number settingdevice 12, the switching transistor W of the output condition circuit 82is made conductive. On the other hand, the confirmation output conditionrelay RL₈ (FIG. 5) is self-maintained in the energized condition.Therefore, the output relay RL₇ is energized immediately upon thetransistor W becoming conductive.

As a result, the sheet separating solenoid 94 is energized through thecontact means RL₇₂ provided in the solenoid driving circuit 53, and thesheet separating pawl 96 (FIG. 2) separates the stack of sheets 95 fromthe suction head 38. Accordingly, the suction head 38 sucks the air,pressure vacuum pressure therein is abruptly lowered, and the vacuumswitch VS becomes inoperative, thereby detecting the completion ofcounting of sheets. Therefore, the armature of the switch VS is thrownto the normally closed contact NC, the relay RL₄ is deenergized, and thearmature of the contact means Rl₄₁ in the start circuit 60 is thrown tothe normally closed contact. As a result, the operations of the vacuumpump VPM and the rotor driving motor M₂ are suspended. On the otherhand, the count confirmation relay RL₅ in the circuit 90 is energized bythe energization of the relay Rl₇. Thus, the sheet counting operation iscompleted with the holder 17 kept at the closed position.

In the case when all of the sheets in the stack 95 have been countedbefore the content of the counter 66 coincides with the numerical dataset in the manual number setting device 72, the relay Rl₇ is notenergized, and therefore the sheet separating pawl 96 is not operated.However, since there is no sheet on the suction head 38 in this case,the suction head 38 sucks air instead of sheets, as a result of whichthe vacuum therein is abruptly lowered. Accordingly, the relay RL₄ isdeenergized. On the other hand, the count confirmation relay RL₅ is inthe deenergized state since the contact means Rl₇₁ is open. Therefore,the output line d₁ of the start circuit 60 is connected to the powerline l₁ through the loop made up of the contact means RL₁₂ of the relayRL₁, the contact means RL₅₁ of the relay RL₅, and the contact means RL₄₁of the relay RL₄, so that the holder motor M₁ is driven through the openposition detecting switch MC₁₁. As a result, the sheet countingoperation is ended with the holder 17 kept at the open position.

Second, the case where the alarm mode has been selected will bedescribed. In this case, the contact means RL₁₀₃ and RL₁₀₄ of the alarmmode relay RL₁₀ are closed while the armature of the contact means RL₁₀₅thereof is on the normally open contact NO in the circuit 73 of thecount confirmation circuit 56. Therefore, the switching transistor W isrendered non-conductive when the contents of the counter 66 coincidewith the numerical data set in the manual number setting device 72, butis rendered conductive when the contents of the counter 66 do notcoincide with the numerical data set in the device 72.

During the period the suction heads 38 are counting the sheets 95, therelay RL₄ is kept energized to keep the contact means RL₄₆ (FIG. 7)open, and therfore the relay RL₇ is not energized.

When the suction heads 38 have counted all of the sheets, there is nosheet on the suction head 38. Accordingly, the vacuum in the suctionhead 38 is lowered and the relay RL₄ is deenergized. As a result,similar to the case described above, the operations of the vacuum pumpVPM and the rotor driving motor M₂ are suspended. Upon deenergization ofthe relay RL₄, the contact means RL₄₆ is closed, and therefore theoutput relay RL₇ is energized when the transistor W is conductive (thatis, the number of sheets counted is more or less than the set value).Under this condition, the count confirmation relay RL₅ in the circuit 90is energized and the armature of the contact means RL₅₂ in the winkercircuit 54 is thrown to the normally open contact, as a result of whichthe display lamp 93 starts its winking operation. On the other hand,since the contact means RL₅₁ of the start circuit 60 is opened by theenergization of the relay RL₅, the output line d₁ is not connected tothe power line l₁. As a result, the sheet counting operation is endedwith the holder 17 kept at the closed position.

On the other hand, when the transistor W is non-conductive (that is, thenumber of sheets counted is equal to the set value), the output relayRL₇ is not energized and therefore the display lamp 93 of the winkercircuit 54 does not carry out the winking operation. In addition, thecontact means RL₅₁ in the start circuit 60 is closed to connect theoutput line d1 to the power line l₁. As a result, the sheet countingoperation is ended with the holder 17 kept at the open position.

In the case where the sheet counting operation in the alarm mode isrepeatedly carried out with respect to a plurality of stacks of sheets,the contents of the counter 66 sometimes coincide with the contents setin the manual number setting device 72 during the period time of fromthe time instant when the start relay RL₁ of the start circuit 60 isenergized to the time instant when the previous count contents of thecounter 66 is reset. In this case, the winker circuit 54 is sometimesoperated. In order to prevent this, the normally open contact means RL₈₂of the confirmation output condition relay RL₈ is provided in theconfirmation signal producing circuit 73.

Thirdly, in the case where the count mode has been selected, the countmode selecting switch PB_(3A2) of the stop condition circuit 90 is open,and therefore the winker circuit and the automatic stop solenoid drivingcircuit are not operated. When all of the sheets have been counted, nosheet abuts the suction head, that is, the suction head 38 is opened tothe atmosphere. Accordingly, the operations of the vacuum pump VPM andthe rotor driving motor M₂ are suspended. On the other hand, when therelay RL₄ is deergized, the contact means RL₅₁ in the start circuit 60is closed to connect the output line d₁ to the power line l₁, as aresult of which the holder motor M₁ is driven. Thus, the sheet countingoperation is completed with the holder 17 kept at the open position.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention,in the automatic stop mode the sheet counting operation is automaticallysuspended with the holder 17 closed when the number of sheets countedcoincides with a number of sheets set; and in the alarm mode the winkercircuit 54 is operated while the holder 17 is maintained closed when thenumber of sheets counted does not coincide with a number of sheets setupon completion of the sheet counting operation; and in the count modeall of the sheets are counted without operation of the alarm. Thus, thesheet counting machine according to this invention can positively carryout the sheet counting operation in all of the sheet counting modes.

Furthermore, in the automatic stop mode and also in the alarm mode, thecount confirmation output a used in common for both of the modes isobtained on the basis of the output of the sheet number setting deviceoperated to set a number of sheets to be counted and the output of thecounter. As a result, the sheet counting machine according to theinvention is simple in construction and able to positively carry out thesheet separating operation and the count confirming operation withrespect to a number of sheets set as desired.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a sheet counting machine having a countingmeans for counting a number of sheets being separated one by one from astack of sheets held in a sheet holder; a number setting means forsetting in advance a number of sheets desired to be counted; acoincidence detecting means to which said counting means and said numbersetting means are coupled for producing, when a count value obtained bysaid counting means coincides with the numerical value set in saidnumber setting means, a coincidence detection signal; a completiondetecting means for detecting, when the operation of counting all of thesheets in a stack held by said holder has been completed, the completionof said counting operation and producing a completion detection signal;and a control means to which said coincidence detecting means and saidcompletion detecting means are coupled for controlling a sheet countingoperation in cooperation with said counting means, said control meanscomprising:a. automatic stop mode means for controlling the machine inan automatic stop mode and responsive to the coincidence detectionsignal produced by said coincidence detecting means for stopping thesheet counting operation of said machine when the count value obtainedby said counting means coincides with the numerical value set in saidnumber setting means; b. alarm mode means for controlling the machine inan alarm mode and including alarm means and means responsive to thecoincidence detection signal produced by said coincidence detectingmeans for inhibiting the stopping of a sheet counting operation throughsaid control means and responsive to the completion detection signalproduced by said completion detection means for stopping the sheetcounting operation when an operation of counting all of the sheets in astack held in said holder is completed, and if during this operation nocoincidence detection signal is produced by said coincidence detectingmeans operating said alarm means; and c. count mode designating meansfor controlling the machine in a count mode and including means forinhibiting the sheet counting operations effected by operation of saidautomatic stop mode means and said alarm mode means, and meansresponsive to the completion detection signal produced by saidcompletion detecting means for stopping, when the counting of all of thesheets in a stack held in said holder is completed, the sheet countingoperation,whereby sheets in a stack held in said holder are counted in adesired mode selected from among said automatic stop mode, alarm mode,and count mode by selective operation of said automatic stop mode means,alarm mode means and count mode designating means.